Vapor regulator



Oct. 16, 1934. E' STENZEL 1,977,295

' VAPOR REGULATOR Filed Ooi. 5, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l /g 2 fl f.

faz

Oct. 16, 1934. E, STENZEL 1,977,295

' VAPOR REGULATOR Filed Oct. 5. 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inlfenfv Patented Cet. 16, 1934 v t UNITED STATES PATENT orFicE vAPoR REGULATOR Emil Stenzel, Chicago,lll., assignorv to Vapor' Car Heating Company, Inc.,` Chicago', Ill., a corporation of New York Application October 5, 1932, Serial No. l636,353 7 Claims.A (Cl. 236-40) This invention relates to certain new and usehereinaboveand disclosed more in detail in the ful improvements in Vapor regulators for conspecifications which follow. trolling the Aflow of vapor or steam to the radia- Another object is to provide an improved thertors-of a railwaycar heating system, and more mostatically o-perating `assembly for use in a particularly to improvements in the thermostatic vapor regulator, saidv assembly comprising a 60 operating mechanism of such a vapor regulator. spring which opposes the expanding movement Vapor regulators of this general type, which of the thermostatic disk. are lwell kno-wn in the art, comprise a valve 10- Another object is to provide, in a vapor regucated inthe steam supply Vline and a thermolato-r, a spring .forrresisting movement of the 10 static element for controlling the valve, said thermostatic member in response torgan increase 65` thermostatic element being subject to the temin temperature, so as to insure prompt opening peratures of the fluids returned from the radiaofthe valve-.upon a subsequent relatively small tors. The vapor regulator is usually positioned decrease in temperature. s beneath the car and the thermostatic element Other objects and advantages of this invention is substantially enclosed in a housing through will be more apparent from the following de- 70V which the returned steam, air and somev of the tained'description of certain approved forms of condensate passesV before flowing out through apparatus constructed and operatinggaccording an` opening in the lower end of the housing. `tothe principles of this invention. This housing serves to enclose the thermostatic Inthe accompanying drawings:`

element in a surrounding envelope of the re- Fig. l 1M is agcentral vertical section through 75, turned fluids so that it will respondv promptly the complete vapornregulatona preferred form to the temperature thereof. of thermostatic `assemblybeing shown in eleva- According to the present invention, the thertion therein. ,f Y mostatic elementvcomprises a closed expansible Fig-2 is an enlarged central vertical section disk formed of upper and lower plates of genthrough rthe formof thermostatic .assembly 30 erally circular outline connected at their edge shown in Fig.1.` A. portions by an annular expansible bellows struc- Fig. 3 is an inverted plan View of the thermoture so as to form a closed housing in which is static assembly shoWnin-Fig. 2. i .Y confined a temperature responsive fluid which Fig. LisaV central. .vertical section through av expands when heated so as to cause separation different form of. the thermostatic assembly. 85 of the plates and elongation of the bellows struc- Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the assembly shown ture. An expansible disk v of this type when in Fig. 4. y s made of sufficient size to insure prompt and n. Fig. 6 is a central vertical section, similar to positive closing of the valve will develop exces- Fig. 4, through still another form of the thermosive power so that a greater drop in temperature static mechanism. .l 90v than desirable is necessary before the pressure Fig. 7- s aside elevationof the device shown on the high pressure side of the valve isv sufiin Fgf5; v v v cient to cause the valve to again open in oppo- Referring first mOle DMCUMNY 110 FgS. 1, 2 sition to the resistance of this partially expanded and 3, the main Casting 01' Supporting frame 1 Ofi 40 disk. According to the present improvement, the Yapor regul'atOr-COmprisesn upwardly'ex 95 this disk is loaded by a spring of the compression tendmg arm 2 m Whlch the hlgh and 10W presf type which is under no material stress when Sure Supp1y--chajmbers are fOr-medand a' hon' the disk is fully compressed, but which must be Zontany'prolectmg arm 3 fram Whlh the the?" compressed by the disk when it expands in addimostat' assembly 1S Supported' In the arm 1s tion to the Workof closing the valve. This formed ahlgh Pressure Supply chamber .hgvmg 100 compressed `spring serves to expedite the com '5 a plpe onnectlon (not here Shown) Wlth the source, of steam supply, and a low pressure prsslfm of the thermostat1c-d1sk When a' com steam chamber A5 Vfrom which a conduit leads paiatively slight drop occurs 1n the temperaturev from port 6 tothe heating System Within the 5p O f the Surroundmg uld envelope thus Pemlt' car. The steam passage 7 between the cham- 10b tmg the Valve t0 Open and 010,56 Within a. Very bers 4 and 5 has a valve seat 8 at its outlet end Small temperature range. 4 with Iwhich cooperates a valve member 9 movable The principal object of this 4invention is to between guides 10 and carried by a valve stem 1l provide certain new and useful improvements which projects through a packing 12 in one end 1n a vapor. regulator, such as briey referred topf the AlowY pressure chamber 5. Astrainer 13 110 within the high pressure chamber 4 is held in place by closure plate 14.

A bellcrank lever 15 is pivoted at 16 on a fixed bracket 17 formed on casting 1, and has a pin and slot connection at 18 with the outer end of valve stem 11. The other arm of the bellcrank lever is pivotallyV connected-at 19 with the-upper end of 'an operating rod 20 which projects down into the thermostat housing, as hereinafter described. A removable guard or casing 21 serves to shield and protect the lever mechanism connecting operating rod 20 with the valve stem 11..

A return pipe from the radiators Within 'the car is connected into an inletfport 22leading into chamber 23 formed in the arm 3 of casting 1. An inner tube 24 and a concentric outer tube 25 extend downwardly from the arm 3. The condensate flowing in from the heating system through port 22 drains down through the annularspace 26 formed between the inner and outer tubes, but the greater portion of the returned steam or hot gases flow down'through the inner tube 24 around the rod 20, which latter isso formed as to oier as little resistance as possible to the ilow of fluids through the tube 24.

The lower ends of the tubes 24 and 25` are connected with a lower bell-shaped casting 27. The inner tube 24 leads down into a thermostat-housing chamber 28 which is entirely closed, except for the open lower end and for the connection at the upper end with tube 24. The annular space 26 between the tubes 24 and 25 connects with drain passages 29 formed outside of the thermostat chamber 28. A removable closure member indicated as an entirety at 30,-.is removablyjsecured to the lower end Vof the'housing 27so as to substantially close the thermostat chamber 28 except for a restricted outlet passage'for the mi fluids returned to said chamber fromthe heating system, said outlet being indicated generallyfat 31.y A supporting post in the ormof anl adjustable screw 32 is mounted centrally in the closure member 3D, and carries a head 33at its upper end upon which the thermostatic member, hereinafter described, is supported. A head 34 formed at the lower end of operating rod '20' rests upon the upper side of Vthe thermostatic member, and a plurality of rounded projections 35 von the sides of rod 20 serve to loosely guide this rod for its vertical movements throughthe inner tube 24. Y

The improved thermostatic assembly comprises an expansible disk formed of upper and lower generally circular'plates 36 and 37 the outer edge portions of which are connected by an annular corrugated metallic bellows structure 33.l This bellows is secured atits upper edge to the outer edge portion of upper plate 36 by-soldering, or

in some other suitable manner, and is similarlyv connected at its lower edge: to the outer'edge portion of the bottom plate 37. Wire rings 39 or other annular'ller members may be inserted in the looped edge portions of themetallicbelv lows structure between the successive overlapping corrugations thereof so as to' space these order to limit the compressing movement of vthedisk when the fluid contracts at normal temperatures so as to tend to form a partial vacu# -um within the disk, a cup-shaped member 40 isl The closed disk mounted within the disk on the upper surface of bottom plate 37 so that the top 41 of this member will engage the lower surface of the upper plate 36. This cup-shaped limiting member is perforated as indicated at 42 so as to permit free passage of the heat responsive fluid thereto andv thereby not limit the effective capacity of the disk. The elongation of the disk when the heat responsive fluid is subjected to steam temperatures is limited (in the form of the device shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3) by the loading spring hereinafter described. The upper and lower plates 36 and 37, or either of them, may be dishedinwardly as indicated at 43 so as to decrease the eiective thickness of the disk between the supporting members 33 and 34 while permitting the use of a longer flexible bellows structure 38.

A downwardly projecting sleeve 44 having at its upper edge an inturned annular flange 45 resting upon the upper plate 36 serves to protect the flexible bellows. This protecting member maybe secured directly to the top plate 36 of the disk, or it may be merely clamped against the disk by the loading spring 46. The rather strong compression spring 46 rests at its lower end upon the top of the expansible disk, or upon the inturned flange 45 of protecting member 44. A suitable cage structure for connecting the top of spring 46 with the Ybottom plate 37 of the disk comprises, in the form here shown, an annular frame member 47 resting against the bottom of plate 37 and a plurality of links 48 pivoted at their lower ends 49 in frame 47 and having hooked upper ends 50 which are engaged over the uppermost coil of spring 46. When assembled as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, with the thermostatic disk completely compressed, the spring 46 is' underonly slight compression just'suiiicient to hold the v'parts in assembled. relation. However, when the expansible disk is heated and tends to elongate, this movement will be resisted by spring 46 so as to load the disk. The thermostatic assembly as just described, which is shown detached in Figs. 2 and 3, is supported within thermostatic chamber 28 of the vapor regulator by positioning the lower and upper plates 37 and '36 of the thermostatic disk between the heads 33 and 34 at the upper end of screw 32A and lower end of rcd 20 respectively.

Referring now to the general operation of the improved vapor regulator, when the system is cold and there is little 'or no steam in the thermostat chamber 28, the thermostatic member or disk willA be contracted as shown in Fig. 1. At this time the valve 9 will be in open position so that steam can flow freely from the source of supply through the inlet chamber 4 and passage 71into the outlet chamber 5 and thenceto and through the radiators. When the radiating system has become filled with steam, excess steam will flow back through port 22 and downwardly through the inner pipe 24 so as to fill the thermostat chamber 28. This surrounding envelope of steam will heat the thermostatic disk, causing the fluid therein to expand, thus causing the plates 36 and 37 to separate. Since the bottom plate 37 is held against actual downward movement by the supporting head 33 on post 32, the upper plate 36 will beforced to move upwardly thereby lifting the operating rod 20 and through the bellcrank lever 15 and valve stem 11 moving valve 9 to closed position thus cutting off the further flow of steam to the radiators. As the steam condenses, the gases in chamber 28 will the same reference characters.

" as to compress the spring 51.

become lower in temperature and the thermostatic element will again contract permitting the plates 36 `and 37 to move closer together ythus lowering the operating rod 20 and permitting the valve 9 to open. Additional steam will then flow into the radiators. This processwill'be repeated at intervals 'soas to keepthe radiating system `full of steam. It will beapparent that when the thermostatic disk expands to close the valve,itmust `also place spring 46 under compression. The 'force of this compressed' spring will thus be constantlyiexerted to aid the high pressure steam in chamber 4 in: compressingthe diaphragm and opening the ivalve when the temperature within: thermostat chamber 28 is slightly lowered so as to 'cause a decrease in the temperature to which the thermostatic disk is subjected. Y Y

Experience has shown in that a thermostatic disk of -the bellowsl type herein disclosed when made Alarge enough to insure prompt and positive closing of the valve ati steam temperatures, and also when madeof such size that 'the bellows structure will have adequate strength l and will 'not be unduly iiexed' at Iany temperature within the range to'which'it is sub'- jected, :ani-excessive expanding force is developed 'by the coniined iiuid when subjectedto `the higher temperatures, which force is not resisted to any material extent by the metallic structure of the enclosingl disk'casing.' It is desirable that the disk be'again' compressed promptly upon a very small decrease in the temperature to which the disk is subjected, andthe normal steam pressure exerted on-valve 9 will be insufficient to cause this prompt compression of the disk unless anadded load is imposed upon the disk. For this purpose the spring 46 is provided. The resulting assembly will respond promptly to a very slight change in temperature in either direction, and at the same time has adequate strength and power to be longlived and insure prompt opening and closing of the valve.

Two other modied forms of this thermostatic assembly are shown in Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive. In each of these forms the thermostatic disk itself is of substantially the form heretofore described and the parts thereof are indicated by Referring first to the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the compression spring 5l is of such size that its coils will loosely surround the thermostatic bellows, and its over-all height when under slight compression is substantially the same as that of the compressed thermostatic disk. A sleeve 52 which encloses spring 5l has at its upper end an inturned annular flange 53 which engages over the upper coil of spring 51. The lower portion f of sleeve 52 is secured, for example by soldering at 54, to the upturned flange 55 of an angular annular member, the lower horizontal flange 56 of which engages beneath the bottom plate 37 of the theremostatic disk. A second sleeve 57 is in- Iterposed between the spring 51 and the thermostatic bellows 38. This sleeve has an upper inturned annular flange 59 which engages over the outer portion of top plate 36 of the thermostatic disk, and, also has an outturned lower vannular flange 60 which engages beneath the bottom coil of spring 51. It will be apparent that as the thermostatic disk is expanded and the top plate 36 thereof is moved upwardly, the intermediate sleeve 57 will be pulled upwardly so This assembly is quite `compact and the loading-springfl viscompletely enclosed f within 'the housingfformed. by the outer sleeve'membe'rs 52 (and` 55.

l.'Iheassemblyy shown in"Figs.'6 and '7 is much the same when completed and assembled as. the form. shown in Figs. 4- and I5. llrthe outer r casing `member is `formedv 'oftwo similar lsemi-cylindricall portions-'61` each having` an upper: inturnedL flange 62 'engaging over thel upper coil of spring 151,V and vajlower .inturned Aiiange 63' engaging beneath .the bottom plate 37.# The itwo'loalves 61 are vsecured togetherwhen positioned about the assembled parts, by means of plates` 64 soldered over' the meeting end portions thereof, or in any other suitable .mannen f u f .It will be noted ythat.: in all forms of the device, means arei'provided for limiting 'both the expanding-fand contracting movements of the. tl'iermostaticv member--so asto'protect the bellows diaphragm` from. injury due to excessive prolongation or compression, and in.. all y'forms the-bellowsis susbtantiallyf'enclosed so 'asfto protect 'it from injury when inserting the/assembly into Y or* removing ritirom' the'thermostatic. chamber; this protecting membeifalso acting as akdrip *shield to-keep the 'greater portion' offthe condensate from-direct contact with the bellows."`v I Iclaim: 'rf- -M i 'l'. A' thermostatic loperating unit-for -a vapor regulator, l. said .unit comprising' .ai closed expansible thermostatic disk formedfof upper and lowerplates, an'"annular-V corrugated bellows structure secured tothe edge 'portions' of the respective'plates, andan expansible 'temperature' responsive'uid conned'within-thedisk, a com`` pressionspring having a lnormal height when under no material compression substantially the same as that of the compressed disk, the spring being positioned about the disk, a sleeve structure enclosing the spring and connected at its upper and lower ends to the upper end of the spring and the lower plate respectively, and a second sleeve structure positioned between the spring and bellows and having inwardly and outwardly projecting flanges at its upper and lower ends respectively, the upper iiange engaging the upper plate of the disk, and the lower iiange engaging the lower end portion of the spring.

2. A thermostatic operating unit for a Vapor regulator, said unit comprising a closed expansible thermostatic disk formed of upper and lower plates, an annular corrugated bellows structure secured to the edge portions of the respective plates, and an expansible temperature responsive iiuid conned within the disk, a compression spring supported at its lower end upon the upper plate of the disk, a frame member positioned in engagement with the lower plate of the disk, and a plurality of links pivotally mounted in the frame member and having hooked upper ends engaging over the upper coil of the spring.

3. A thermostatic operating unit for a Vapor regulator, said unit comprising a closed expansible thermostatic disk formed of upper and lower plates, an annular corrugated bellows structure secured to the edge portions of the respective plates, and an expansible temperature responsive fluid conned within the disk, means mounted on one plate within the disk and adapted to engage the other plate to limit compressing movement of the disk, a compression spring supported at its lower end upon the upper plate 'In Figs. 6 and of the disk, a frame member positioned in engagement with the 'lower plate of the disk, and a plurality of linkspivotally mounted in the'frame member and having hooked upper ends engaging over the upper coil of the spring.

, 4. A thermostatic operating device for avapor regulator, said device consisting of a unitary assembly of parts adapted to be bodily positioned in or removed from the vapor regulator and comprising a closed expansion thermostatic disk formed of upper and lower plates, an annular corrugated bellows structure secured to the edge portions lof the plates, and an expansible temperature responsive fluid confined within the disk, a compression spring, and means securing the spring to the disk exteriorly vthereof'with the lower end of the" spring in fixed relation to the upper plate of the disk, a non-extensible portion of said means connecting the upper end of the spring with the lower plate of the disk so that the spring will be' compressed as the,

- prising a: closed expansible thermostatio disk disk is expanded.

5. A thermostatic operating device for a vapor regulator, rsaid device consisting of a unitary assembly of parts adapted to be bodily positioned in or removed from the vapor regulator land comprising a closedexpansible thermostatic disk formed of upper and lower plates, an annular corrugated bellows structure secured to the edge portions of the plates, and an expansible temperature responsive fluid confined within the disk, a compression spring, land means securing the spring to the disk exteriorly thereof with the lower end of the spring in fixed relation to ther upper plate of the disk, a non-extensible portion of said means partially enclosing the spring and disk and connectingthe upper end ofv the spring with the 'lower plate of the disk so that f sembly of parts adapted to be bodily positioned the' spring will be compressed as the disk is expanded.

' 6. A thermostatic operating device for a vapor regulator, said device consisting of a unitary asin or removed from the vapor regulator and comprising a closed expansible thermostatic disk formed of upper and lower plates, an annular corrugated bellows structure secured to the edge portions of the plates, and an expansible tem- .perature responsive fluid conned within the disk, a compression spring supported at its lower end upon the upper plate of the disk, and a nonextensible cager structure positioned about the spring anddisk and connecting the upper end portion of the spring with the lower plateof the disk. a Y

7. A thermostatic operating device for a vapor regulator, said device consisting of a unitary assembly of parts adapted to be bodily positioned in or removed from the vapor regulator and comformed of upper and lower plates, an annular corrugated bellows structure secured to the edge portions of the plates, and an expansible tem' 100 perature responsive iluid conned within the disk, a protecting sleeve extending downwardly about the bellows and having an inwardly projecting flange resting upon the upper plate of the disk, a compression spring resting at its lower end upon the ange of the sleeve and holding same in engagement with the disk, and a non-extensible cage structure positioned about the spring and diskand connecting the upper end portion of the spring with the lower plate of the-disk.

Y EMIL STENZEL. 

